On the spot corrections in public; when is it appropriate?

I servsd in the Army 45 years ago but I don't think the regs on this kind of behavior have changed since then. It just shows the lack of respect 95% of all young people have today for any kind of authoruty or themselves. I f any of the NCO's or Officers I served under had come across this, they would most definately taken the person aside and made them correct the situation on the spot. (Former SPC IV Mechanized Infantry)

You should have asked her what unit she was in and reported her to her CSM

Hands down agree with SMSgt Thomas. This Soldier should have been pulled aside and corrected. If that didn't work after showing your ID, get the commands info. If that didn't work, take a pic and find her on AKO. I would 100% have attempted a calm discussion but have no problem embarrassing a disrespectful Soldier in public.

I don't think anyone could hold your choice against you. I would generally think a quiet and polite correction should be the default - while this person sounds like they knew they were doing something incorrect, someone could just daze or have a dumb moment (I do). Once the first correction attempt has been made, if they don't comply, then I would think being more aggressive is fine - given your audience. If your truly in public, civilians are around, then it may not be worth the PR hit to make a scene, and you could just get the soldier's info to contact their leadership, but if you're on base.... I think wrecking them would be perfectly acceptable. Again, this is only after being nice about it the first time.

If you are a "leader" then yes you step in. When I was a young Marine I saw a Gunnery Sargent, on leave, step up to and tell another young Marine that his military alignment was off and his back pocket un bottoned. He informed the young Marine that we are Marines 24 hours a day and if we are going to wear the uniform, wear it correctly or don't wear it at all. So yes something should have been said.

As a former SPC in the Army NG, and as a current SGT. in a law enforcement agency I know enforcing uniform regulations are important, not just for image, but for discipline in the ranks. I would have introduced my self, showing ID and told her to correct her uniform. Any defiance or disrespect would have been reported in writing to her chain of command.

SSG (Join to see) you did the most important thing - you acted and made an OTSC. You did what any good NCO should have done.

Putting it on here took a lot of Personal Courage because of all the responders second guessing every move made with perfect 20/20 hindsight and plenty of time to think about it.

What has been good about this post for you, and a lot of other young Service Members, is the host of ways expressed by a bunch of us old farts of what we have done or what has worked for us in how to handle situations such as this if they should come up again, or in other words, seeing some experience passed on.

I personally agree you were in a tough spot to do much else other than what you did, given her date and yours, and everything else. Hopefully, the offending individual will be tracked down, and her CoC will be found, and we will have some resolution knowing her 1SG and CSM have enlightened her (oh how I wish I was still in and was her Brigade CSM - my devious mind is working overtime on what that eye roll got her, not to mention the cap and hair).

One other thing SSG (Join to see) if the individual is found and the situation is addressed, can you edit/update the original question/heading to let us all know? My greatest angst is this individual never standing on the carpet in front of her 1SG answering for this and getting away with it. That injustice causes me to loose sleep at night.

Is there no policy in place prohibiting the wear of uniform off duty and off post? I understand It's not a regulation, but every installation I've been to, even an AFB, had a policy and a "strong urge" not to wear uniform unnecessarily. Unless this was a student and didn't have much of a choice in attire, I don't understand why she wouldn't just change before going to the movies. And more to the point, if you're going to wear it, do it with pride. I'm proud of your restraint, SSG. Warm fuzzies and all.

I agree a correction needs to be made. After all she/he is representing the military. I think SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas is correct. Take the troop aside and explain the infraction. If an attitude follows try and find our his/her command. Then take it to the next step.

On the spot corrections are appropriate in public regardless of the venue. It is our duty as soldiers and NCOs to correct them, off to the side, in a tactful manner. When you wear any authorized uniform in public, you are representing your branch and the military, and as such, need to adhere to regulation. It isn't making a scene, it's being a good soldier and leader.